Interview with Edgar Miranda, April 10, 2017

Partial Transcript: Why don't we start by telling me why you joined the military? Where are you from?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda describes his motivations for joining the Marine Corps two weeks after graduating high school. He also discusses his family's association with the military.

Keywords: East Los Angeles

Partial Transcript: When you joined, tell me what was your specialty? What was your job description?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda describes his job as a telephone and computer systems repairman. He also discusses the technical training he received on the job.

Keywords: Military Occupational Specialty 2847; Twentynine Palms California

Partial Transcript: So when you were done with training at Twentynine Palms, where was your first duty station?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda discusses his first duty station at Okinawa Japan and his travels in South Korea. He also describes being stationed at Camp Pendleton in south California.

Keywords: Seoul; Tokyo

Partial Transcript: So have you deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda talks about his deployment to Afghanistan, and the extensive training he underwent in preparation. He also describes guarding detainees at a hospital while stationed there.

Keywords: IED; Rules of Engagement

Partial Transcript: Some people have public misperceptions about the military, is there any misperception you would like to clarify?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda describes the misconception of individuals joining the military because they weren't able to attend college. He also discusses the differences he noted between Marines and Airmen during his time working as an instructor at an Air Force Base. He talks about how leaving the Marines from an Air Force base better prepared him for civilian life, noting how Air Force culture taught him restraint and patience.

Keywords: Marine culture; Senior NCO; Shepard Air Force Base

Partial Transcript: How does a East LA homesick Marine end up in Athens Georgia?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda describes how he began attending the University of Georgia and the transfer student process he underwent. He talks about how his military training prepared him for university education. Miranda also discusses his social life at the university.

Keywords: Athens Technical College; Management Information Systems; UCLA; University of North Georgia

Partial Transcript: So tell me about how you got introduced to this student veterans resource center?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda describes his introduction to the University of Georgia and the Student Veterans Resource Center. He discusses the educational benefits provided by the military have assisted in his education.

Keywords: Montgomery GI Bill; housing stipend

Partial Transcript: If you were advising a Marine or a Solider or an Airman who is thinking about going back to school, what kind of advice would you give someone who is about to come back to the civilian world?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda advises other veterans to attend a smaller community college when first reentering academia rather than immediately attend a large school. He recommends other veterans to learn about the benefits they are eligible to receive. Miranda also explains his motivations for applying to law school.

Keywords: INS; Immigration

Partial Transcript: You mentioned before this interview started you called yourself a "Don't Ask Don't Tell" vet. Can you explain that?

Segment Synopsis: Miranda describes the injustices of the"Don't Ask Don't Tell" era and the atmosphere of the military when it was repealed. He also describes the experience of disclosing his sexuality to other service members. Miranda concludes the interview with his final thoughts and advice.

Keywords: LGBTQ; Okinawa; Twentynine Palms